Nigerian football is set to experience a major boost, thanks to the pledge of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) to work closely with stakeholders in the sports sector to develop and commercialise the game of football in Nigeria.

This development came to the fore on Thursday, November 21, 2024, in a meeting with the National Sports Commission, the International Management Group (IMG) and AfroSport Network at the NNPC Towers.

NNPC has a rich history in sports which goes beyond football, and has largely impacted the sporting world in several ways, one of which was the sponsorship of the annual national athletics championships, and is now set to once again, put its imprints in the footballing sector.

Recall that NNPC Ltd. once had a football club, the NNPC FC, Warri, which played in Division One of the then Nigeria National League before it was dissolved in 1989.

“NNPC will be a prime partner in the journey to bring back value to our football, to reshape it, re-engineer it and bring happiness to our people” Mele Kyari, The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd. stated while receiving a delegation.

He voiced delight that the company was identified as a critical partner in the journey of making Nigerian Football work again, stressing that football was a tool of immense value that could bring untold benefits to the Nigerian economy and the NNPC Ltd. as a company.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission and Minister of Sports, Alhaji Shehu Dikko, said football was fundamental to the economies of the best footballing countries in the world, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for immediate action to revamp the game.

He further added that the multiplier effects of football were enormous and could facilitate the revamp of related industries across the value chain.

The Minister noted that IMG which promotes the English Premier League was invited as a technical partner to leverage their experience in the sport.

With the constant clamour for growth in the sports sector in Nigeria, this partnership is expected to yield positive results in the long run.